---
name: "Eddie Murphy"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/eddie-murphy"
fi1m_id: "eddie-murphy"
imdb_id: "nm0000552"
tmdb_id: 776
wikidata_id: "Q43874"
roles: ["Actor","Producer","Writer"]
born: "3 April 1961"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 19
average_fi1m_score: 59
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-05T11:39:23.955607+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Eddie Murphy

## Identity

Eddie Murphy

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/eddie-murphy
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** eddie-murphy
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000552
- **TMDB ID:** 776
- **Wikidata ID:** Q43874
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Murphy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43874, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000552/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/776

Actor and producer. Born 3 April 1961 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Producer, Writer
- **Born:** 3 April 1961, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1982–2010
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 19: 17 acting, 2 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Cameron Diaz](https://film.one/person/cameron-diaz.md), [Mike Myers](https://film.one/person/mike-myers.md), [Antonio Banderas](https://film.one/person/antonio-banderas.md), [Aron Warner](https://film.one/person/aron-warner.md), [Robert D. Wachs](https://film.one/person/robert-d-wachs.md), [Andrew Adamson](https://film.one/person/andrew-adamson.md), [Barry W. Blaustein](https://film.one/person/barry-w-blaustein.md), [David Sheffield](https://film.one/person/david-sheffield.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 59, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 63 (6), 1990s 61 (5), 2000s 57 (6), 2010s 70 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 58 to 51 across 16 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 8 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 16 of 17 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 15, Action 6, Family 6, Adventure 5, Animation 5, Fantasy 5
- **Screen time:** 29 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $5,343m across 17 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Murphy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43874, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000552/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/776

## Coming up

- *Shrek 5* (2027-06-30), as Donkey (voice)
- *Donkey* (2028-06-28), as Donkey (voice)

## Streaming the US now

- **Peacock:** [*Shrek 2*](https://film.one/film/shrek-2.md) (80), [*Shrek Forever After*](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md) (60), [*Shrek the Third*](https://film.one/film/shrek-the-third.md) (50)
- **Disney+:** [*Shrek*](https://film.one/film/shrek.md) (80), [*Mulan*](https://film.one/film/mulan.md) (74), [*Doctor Dolittle*](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md) (50)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Trading Places*](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md) (80), [*48 Hrs.*](https://film.one/film/48-hrs.md) (78)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Dreamgirls*](https://film.one/film/dreamgirls.md) (68), [*Beverly Hills Cop*](https://film.one/film/beverly-hills-cop.md) (55)
- **AMC+:** [*Coming to America*](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md) (76)
- **Apple TV:** [*Boomerang*](https://film.one/film/boomerang.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Eddie Murphy

> Eddie Murphy makes fast talk funny by giving it a purpose: bluffing his way through trouble or asking for company. We rate him highly when the script gives that speed something to do, as *Shrek* does.

Donkey barely leaves room for an answer. In *Shrek* (2001), Eddie Murphy gives that stream of talk a small but important urgency: this creature wants someone to stay and listen. We laughed at his persistence, then felt unexpectedly fond of him because the chatter made his need for company audible. Murphy keeps the speech quick without making it sound mechanical; each new thought seems to demand immediate attention. The character would be exhausting if all those words were there simply to fill the silence.

The early leads use that quickness to get a character through trouble. After his film debut opposite Nick Nolte in *48 Hrs.* (1982), *Trading Places* (1983) paired him with Dan Aykroyd under director John Landis. Axel Foley in *Beverly Hills Cop* (1984) established the fast-talking, resourceful lead as a defining Murphy part. That comic personality was immediately recognisable, before *Coming to America* (1988) and *The Nutty Professor* (1996) gave him several people to play in the same film. The Klump family made room for physical transformation as well as verbal energy.

In *Shrek*, directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson give that busy voice a useful partner in Mike Myers's defensive ogre. Myers makes Shrek's dislike of himself matter, which gives Murphy's eagerness for friendship something to work against. Their characters are funny for the same reasons that they need company, and the film does not have to stop the comedy to ask for sympathy. It does settle for familiar storytelling, and its personalities last better than some of its pop-culture jokes. Murphy remains worth listening to when the writing is rather pleased with itself, because Donkey still sounds more concerned with being included than with getting a laugh.

*Dreamgirls* (2006) makes room for his singing and dramatic acting, a useful reminder that comic speed need not be his only resource. But *Norbit* (2007) is a reminder of how broad and uneven the later comedies could become. We do not need Murphy to be restrained in every part. We do need the people making the film to know why he is being so expansive. For an evening with adults and children, *Shrek* is the Murphy performance we would put on first.

## Biography

Eddie Murphy is an American actor and comedian. He was born Edward Regan Murphy on 3 April 1961 in Brooklyn, New York. He joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1980 and remained until 1984.

Murphy starred in films including *48 Hrs.* (1982), *Trading Places* (1983), *Beverly Hills Cop* (1984) and *Coming to America* (1988). He voiced Donkey in *Shrek* (2001) and its sequels, and Mushu in *Mulan* (1998). In *Dreamgirls* (2006) he played James "Thunder" Early and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, cnn.com.*

## On Fi1m (19)

### Performed in (17) — the average rests on these

- *Shrek Forever After* (2010), Fi1m 60, as Donkey (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md)
- *Norbit* (2007), Fi1m 31, as Norbit / Rasputia / Mr. Wong — [page](https://film.one/film/norbit.md)
- *Shrek the Third* (2007), Fi1m 50, as Donkey (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-the-third.md)
- *Dreamgirls* (2006), Fi1m 68, as James 'Thunder' Early — [page](https://film.one/film/dreamgirls.md)
- *Shrek 2* (2004), Fi1m 80, as Donkey (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-2.md)
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), Fi1m 32, as Pluto Nash — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Shrek* (2001), Fi1m 80, as Donkey (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shrek.md)
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), Fi1m 50, as Dr. John Dolittle — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)
- *Mulan* (1998), Fi1m 74, as Mushu (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/mulan.md)
- *Boomerang* (1992), Fi1m 60, as Marcus Graham — [page](https://film.one/film/boomerang.md)
- *Another 48 Hrs.* (1990), Fi1m 38, as Reggie Hammond — [page](https://film.one/film/another-48-hrs.md)
- *Coming to America* (1988), Fi1m 76, as Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul — [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md)
- *Beverly Hills Cop II* (1987), Fi1m 48, as Axel Foley — [page](https://film.one/film/beverly-hills-cop-ii.md)
- *The Golden Child* (1986), Fi1m 42, as Chandler Jarrell — [page](https://film.one/film/the-golden-child.md)
- *Beverly Hills Cop* (1984), Fi1m 55, as Axel Foley — [page](https://film.one/film/beverly-hills-cop.md)
- *Trading Places* (1983), Fi1m 80, as Billy Ray Valentine — [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md)
- *48 Hrs.* (1982), Fi1m 78, as Reggie Hammond — [page](https://film.one/film/48-hrs.md)

### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Won't You Be My Neighbor?* (2018), Fi1m 80, as Self - Mr. Robinson (archive footage) — [page](https://film.one/film/wont-you-be-my-neighbor.md)
- *Tongues Untied* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Self (archive footage) — [page](https://film.one/film/tongues-untied.md)

## Complete filmography (79)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Donkey* (2028), as Donkey (voice)
- *Shrek 5* (2027), as Donkey (voice)
- *The Pickup* (2025), as Russell · Producer
- *An SNL Thanksgiving* (2024), as (archive footage)
- *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* (2024), as Axel Foley · Producer
- *Candy Cane Lane* (2023), as Chris Carver · Producer
- *Eddie Murphy : Hollywood's Black King* (2023), as Kendisi (arşiv görüntüleri)
- *You People* (2023), as Akbar
- *Coming 2 America* (2021), as Prince Akeem / Clarence / Saul / Randy Watson · Characters, Producer
- *Entre broma y broma* (2020), series, as Eddie Murphy
- *Dolemite Is My Name* (2019), as Rudy Ray Moore · Producer
- *Mr. Church* (2016), as Henry Church
- *Shrek Stories* (2013), as Donkey (voice)
- *Dreamworks: Holiday Classics* (2012), as Donkey (voice)
- *Shrek's Thrilling Tales* (2012), as Donkey (voice)
- *A Thousand Words* (2012), as Jack McCall
- *Tower Heist* (2011), as Slide · Producer
- *Donkey's Christmas Shrektacular* (2010), as Donkey (voice)
- *Shrek's Yule Log* (2010), as Donkey (voice)
- *The Women of SNL* (2010), as Gumby (archive footage)
- *Shrek Forever After* (2010), as Donkey (voice) — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md)
- *Imagine That* (2009), as Evan Danielson
- *Meet Dave* (2008), as Dave / Captain
- *Shrek the Halls* (2007), as Donkey (voice)
- *Shrek the Third* (2007), as Donkey (voice) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-the-third.md)
- *Norbit* (2007), as Norbit / Rasputia / Mr. Wong · Producer, Story, Screenplay — Fi1m 31, [page](https://film.one/film/norbit.md)
- *Dreamgirls* (2006), as James 'Thunder' Early — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/dreamgirls.md)
- *Dreamworks 5 Holiday Classics Collection* (2005), series, as Donkey (voice)
- *Far Far Away Idol* (2004), as Donkey (voice)
- *Father of the Pride* (2004), series, as Donkey (voice)
- *Shrek 2* (2004), as Donkey (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-2.md)
- *Shrek 3-D* (2004), as Donkey (voice)
- *The Haunted Mansion* (2003), as Jim Evers
- *DreamWorks 6 Spooky Stories Collection* (2003), series, as Donkey (voice)
- *Daddy Day Care* (2003), as Charlie Hinton
- *I Spy* (2002), as Kelly Robinson
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), as Pluto Nash — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Showtime* (2002), as Officer Trey Sellars
- *Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party* (2001), as Donkey (voice) (singing voice)
- *Dr. Dolittle 2* (2001), as Dr. John Dolittle
- *Shrek* (2001), as Donkey (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/shrek.md)
- *Nutty Professor II: The Klumps* (2000), as Sherman Klump / Buddy Love / Granny Klump / Mama Klump / Papa Klump / Young Papa Klump / Ernie Klump / Lance Perkins · Executive Producer
- *Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special* (1999), as (archive footage)
- *Bowfinger* (1999), as Kit Ramsey / Jeffernson 'Jiff' Ramsey
- *Life* (1999), as Rayford Gibson · Producer
- *The PJs* (1999), series, as Thurgood Stubbs (voice) · Executive Producer, Creator
- *Holy Man* (1998), as G · Executive Producer
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), as Dr. John Dolittle — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)
- *Mulan* (1998), as Mushu (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/mulan.md)
- *Metro* (1997), as Inspector Scott Roper
- *The Nutty Professor* (1996), as Sherman Klump / Buddy Love / Lance Perkins / Papa Klump / Mama Klump / Grandma Klump / Ernie Klump · Executive Producer
- *Vampire in Brooklyn* (1995), as Maximillian / Pauly / Guido · Producer, Story
- *Beverly Hills Cop III* (1994), as Axel Foley
- *Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films* (1993), as King (uncredited)
- *The Distinguished Gentleman* (1992), as Thomas Jefferson Johnson
- *Boomerang* (1992), as Marcus Graham · Story, Executive Producer — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/boomerang.md)
- *The Royal Family* (1991), series, Creator
- *The Kid Who Loved Christmas* (1990), Executive Producer
- *Another 48 Hrs.* (1990), as Reggie Hammond · Story, Executive Producer — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/another-48-hrs.md)
- *Harlem Nights* (1989), as Quick · Director, Executive Producer, Screenplay
- *Coming to America* (1988), as Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul · Story, Executive Producer — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md)
- *Eddie Murphy Raw* (1987), Executive Producer, Writer
- *Beverly Hills Cop II* (1987), Axel Foley, Story, Executive Producer — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/beverly-hills-cop-ii.md)
- *Uptown Comedy Express* (1987), Actor
- *The Golden Child* (1986), as Chandler Jarrell · Executive Producer — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/the-golden-child.md)
- *An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.* (1986), Actor
- *Friday People* (1985), series, Actor
- *Beverly Hills Cop* (1984), as Axel Foley · Executive Producer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/beverly-hills-cop.md)
- *Best Defense* (1984), as Landry · Executive Producer
- *Eddie Murphy: Delirious* (1983), Producer, Screenplay
- *Trading Places* (1983), as Billy Ray Valentine — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md)
- *48 Hrs.* (1982), as Reggie Hammond — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/48-hrs.md)
- *Beverly Hills Cop*, series, as Det. Axel Foley
- *Attachment Parenting*, as Producer
- *Untitled Grumpy Old Men Remake*, Actor
- *The Pink Panther*, as Inspector Clouseau
- *It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World reboot*, Producer
- *Untitled George Clinton Biopic*, Producer
- *Blue Falcon*, as Producer

## Gallery

- ![Eddie Murphy as Billy Ray Valentine in Trading Places (1983)](https://film.one/media/title/1841/still-5c5283b6ed55.jpg) Eddie Murphy as Billy Ray Valentine in *Trading Places* (1983) — Image via TMDB
- ![Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem in Coming to America (1988)](https://film.one/media/title/6448/still-6e7012e9f5eb.jpg) Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem in *Coming to America* (1988) — Image via TMDB
- ![Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop (1984)](https://film.one/media/title/6387/still-05fb133c9c0a.jpg) Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in *Beverly Hills Cop* (1984) — Image via TMDB
- ![Eddie Murphy as Pluto Nash in The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)](https://film.one/media/title/8370/still-7fa2354e4750.jpg) Eddie Murphy as Pluto Nash in *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002) — Image via TMDB
- ![Eddie Murphy as Norbit in Norbit (2007)](https://film.one/media/title/8381/still-38304832fcdd.jpg) Eddie Murphy as Norbit in *Norbit* (2007) — Image via TMDB
- ![Casey Patterson and Eddie Murphy (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/97267/gallery-613214cf8ede.jpg) Casey Patterson and Eddie Murphy (2012) — Viacom / New 38th Floor Productions Inc., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Eddie_Murphy_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Eddie Murphy](https://film.one/media/person/97267/gallery-5cca33dc3d06.jpg) Eddie Murphy — David Shankbone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Eddie_Murphy_by_David_Shankbone.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Eddie Murphy at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/97267/gallery-64ebe7d1d78c.jpg) Eddie Murphy at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Eddie_Murphy_Shankbone_2010_NYC.jpg/1280px-Eddie_Murphy_Shankbone_2010_NYC.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Casey Patterson and Eddie Murphy (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/97267/gallery-0739585841ec.jpg) Casey Patterson and Eddie Murphy (2012) — Viacom / New 38th Floor Productions Inc., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Casey_Patterson_and_Eddie_Murphy.jpg/1280px-Casey_Patterson_and_Eddie_Murphy.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Eddie Murphy](https://film.one/media/person/97267/gallery-3ad698a99f92.jpg) Eddie Murphy — Image via TMDB
- ![Eddie Murphy](https://film.one/media/person/97267/gallery-865ef0461a2d.jpg) Eddie Murphy — Image via TMDB
- ![Eddie Murphy](https://film.one/media/person/97267/gallery-14d5acc637f7.jpg) Eddie Murphy — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2007: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Dreamgirls*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 2007: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (won), for *Dreamgirls*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2020: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Saturday Night Live*

### Other awards — 3 won, 1 nominated

- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 2015: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (won)
- Grammy Awards 2007: Grammy Awards (won)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director 1990: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director (nominated), for *Harlem Nights*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay 1990: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay (won), for *Harlem Nights*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/eddie-murphy